Τετέλεσται

Τετέλεσται.

This word was written on business documents and receipts in New Testament times to indicate that a bill had been paid in full.

In English, it is transliterated "tetelestai" and, literally translated, means "It is finished."

The phrase is found in John 19:30, spoken by Jesus before He breathes His last. As the intense pain and constant struggle to breathe sapped his energy, Jesus received a little sour wine in order to prepare His voice for the declaration. This wasn't just a whisper. The other gospels indicate that He cried with a loud voice. As our Savior and substitute died, He cried out, "Tetelestai!"

Why? Why did He say, "It is finished"?

Because the debt was paid in full.

Τετέλεσται.

A servant might have said the word when asked by his master if he had accomplished his mission.

Why did He say, "It is finished?"

Because His mission was accomplished.

Scripture tells us that the first aspect of Jesus' two-fold mission was to live the life we couldn't live.

Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. - Matthew 5:17 (NKJV)

We failed miserably at this. We tried. However, God demands perfection. We have broken every commandment. Every one, whether in word or deed. The purpose of the Law of Moses was never to save us, but to bring us to despair and point to the perfect fulfillment of the Law - Jesus Himself.

Jesus fulfilled the Law for us by living a perfect life. Throughout his 33 years on this earth, Jesus faithfully and perfectly served God, keeping every law and command. We see the man Jesus, having no other gods before God. We see the man Jesus, honoring His father and mother. We see the man Jesus, never stealing or coveting. He was perfect. He became our substitute in life.

Τετέλεσται.

The second aspect of Jesus' mission was to die the death that we deserved. My sins sent Jesus to the cross. All my anger. All my pride. All my lust. All the times I did what I shouldn't. All the times I didn't do what I should. Your sin sent Him there too.

But praise God, our sins - past, present, and future (that last one isn't preached often enough) - were nailed to the cross. He became our substitute in death.

Τετέλεσται.

So we see Jesus, our perfect, sinless, substitute, living and dying for us. We then see what the Reformers called "The Great Exchange."

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. - 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)

Jesus died, looked upon by His Father as a murderer. A rapist. A liar. A thief. A drug addict. An abusive parent.

And, for those who repent and believe on Him, the Fathers looks upon them as having Jesus' perfect, sinless, obedient life.

Τετέλεσται.

My friend, as we celebrate Easter today. Remember it really is finished. Jesus lived for you. He died for you. He rose again to show He could do it.

No matter where you've been, what you've done, or what you've failed to do, if you come to Jesus He won't be angry. He'll love you and forgive you.

Τετέλεσται.

Adam is a husband, father, preacher, and teacher

living in Mayfield, KY. You can follow him 

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